October 10, 2018

pushing through emotionally, spiritually, and relationally with Jeff. We're doing this. This navigating a strained relationship but doing it well. We're communicating no matter how much it hurts or how grueling it is. And, we're kissing and holding hands and laughing and moment by moment growing stronger. There is hope in the dark. We were listening to the sermon in church this past Sunday and Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 came on the screen:

"Two are better than one,because they have a good return for their labor:10 If either of them falls down,one can help the other up.But pity anyone who fallsand has no one to help them up.11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.But how can one keep warm alone?12 Though one may be overpowered,two can defend themselves.A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Jeff nudged me. It was a simple reminder of what we had covenanted over 24 years ago. He was saying without words, "that's us! With God, you and me we won't break." So, yea, pushing through.

reading J.D. Robb's Delusion in Death. It is book 35 in the In Death series. There are currently 47 in the series. I am re-reading the series this year averaging 3-4 each month so I should be able to re-read them all plus the latest that came out in September before the end of the year. I am reading aloud to Jeff The Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. Our relational difficulties originate in our minds, each facing a different battle raging war against us. I'm hoping as we tackle this book together we will be able to apply truths to our lives that will ultimately win this battle and - change our minds. Generally, I have with me at any given time 3-4 books in a variety of genres because I rarely know what I'll be in the mood for. I have in my leather messenger bag Killing Jesus by Bill O'Reilly. I have read his exceptional historical, Killing Lincoln and a friend mentioned she thought I'd find Killing Jesus fascinating.

listing out to-do's for our trip to Austria later this month. Right now it's mostly a mind-list rather than a penned list. Jeff and I are bouncing things off each other, decisions are made and plans finalized and mentally checked off the list. Order euros for the trip, pick up gifts for the staff, solidify small group plans for the coming week - check, purchase suitcases - check, etc. Much of the trip is decided because it is a mission trip and a working mission trip at that. Any touring for the most part is planned in advance for us as well. I'm going in without expectations personally other than I'm expecting God to move mightily!

trying new recipes again, recently. I think over the past month or so I made about 5 or 6 new recipes. All of them delightful. I made these Korean BBQ Bowls with Garlic Rice and, boy, were they delicious. A bit time-consuming but worth it! Inspired by this recipe for Big Mac Sliders I fashioned my own, that tasted way better than McDonald's Big Mac's. Using this recipe for Garlic Basil Chicken with Tomato Butter Sauce as my template I made another out of this world pasta recipe. When I was telling Jeff about what we were having for dinner he asked one question, "Where's the mozzarella and provolone?" Sent the recipe over the top! Copycat Chipotle's Burrito Bowls with this chicken, our own homemade salsa, these green peppers and onions, cilantro lime rice, pico de gallo - all yummo! Finally, who would of thought adding a fried egg hard to a classic BLT and topping off with a spicy chipotle mayonnaise on multi-grain toasted bread would make the taste buds burst open. Everyone enjoyed this simple but decadent - sandwich.

purchasing a new roof for our house. We were the very first house in our neighborhood 22 years ago and the last house - thank you Lord - in need of a new roof. We have been saving for quite some time now and finally took the expensive plunge. Just in time for Hurricane Michael to come through as a strong tropical storm; picking up last minute gifts for our Haus Adelweiss hosts and partners in ministry and travel accessories such as a neck pillow.

watching NCIS on Netflix from the beginning. Oh how awesome and strange it is to begin at the beginning. I am also watching the older show, Star Trek Enterprise (with Scott Bakula) which I'd never seen before. I love the opening theme song sung by Rod Stewart, Faith of the Heart. Because I'm watching it on Netflix you can skip the introduction if you choose to but I often don't because I love the beginning song with accompany photo stories. We also recently watched Blackhawk Down (October 3). It is the anniversary of the Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia. Jeff had been gone less then a month and we watch the movie every year to remember the fallen.

needing to - it's a big, long list - get my scrap room and office purged and organized, recently ordered prints from Persnickety Prints into albums, update my statement photo wall in my living room, find new curtains for the living room to 'finish' the living room décor, plan out a mini kitchen and dining room renovations involving paint, shiplap, and lighting fixtures, plan out a mini master bathroom renovation involving paint, flooring, and lighting (mostly), and think about Christmas.

deciding on what kind of album for our Austria trip. I have it narrowed down to a choice between a 3 x 8 travel album (which I own) and a travelers notebook (which I also own). In addition, I'm contemplating what size album for our December Daily. I'm considering 4 x 6, 3 x 8, and 6 x 8. I also make a 30 Days of Thankful album every year and while I will more than likely go with another 4 x 4, I might do a 3 x 8 or a 4 x 6. But, I also saw recently someone made a travelers notebook sized album. Decisions!

enjoying Pic Tap Go, Becky Higgins online class on iPhone photography tips and tricks, catching up on One Little Word videos and mapping out plans to catch up some of the assignments, eating homemade tacos on Tuesday's again, finally getting some much needed rain and when it is all done some cooler temperatures; evenings when we eat together as a family (even if it is on television trays in front of the - television - watching a show); reading our latest selection aloud; our small group meeting together again regularly and loving our study by Matt Chandler on the book of James; hanging out with Melinda on Sunday mornings and getting to know her a little better; scrapping the simple, everyday moments and not being worried about 'great' design but simply getting the stories told; reading a lot!

soaking in the wonder of the skies. It doesn't escape my notice or my thanks to God for showing me His glory in the brilliant sunrises and cloud formations, even the ominous storm clouds.

October 05, 2018

When Jeff built the shelves in our bedroom for all of my books I color-coordinated the filled shelves. Many Amazon boxes of books later, when the shelves were overflowing once again and - a mess; and it was driving me batty, exactly how clutter drivers me crazy, too - I decided I needed to do something about it.

I pulled all the books off the shelves. Dusted, because I'm not sure when the entire shelf system has been dusted. Then, re-arranged my books by genre, fiction and non-fiction. I even stacked a few series' together completely ignoring the fact, as hard as it was, their colors don't go together.

I displaced those books I won't ever read again to the living room. Although I'm unsure whether I'll get rid of them and if I do, how I might do that.

I love my system so far. When I am ready for another book I simply go to the fiction shelf or the non-fiction shelves for what am I reading next. Easy and fun page.

October 03, 2018

This year I have missed recording weekly gratitudes. I began the year, instead, attempting 1000 giftsand didn't get very far...maybe I'll return to that, sometime. In the meantime, in August, I saw a journal heading, good things, and thought - hey, I like that. Thought it would be a great photo-less page of good stuff. When I speak of good stuff, when I write them down it isn't an exercise of speaking the words off into the unknown but is, in fact, an exercise in gratitude my big God who is good all the time and this is simply another way to acknowledge my thanksgiving, my gratefulness for the blessings He gives.

I'm recording them on a 6 x 8 page, adding a couple Ali Edwards' digital brushes and putting the page into my All About Me album. I have been creating pages about me since the beginning of the year and have already filled one album and well into a second album. I cannot lie. This is and has been one of my most favorite scrapbooking endeavors, surprisingly, to me. If I look through my 25 years worth of albums and pages of our lives I might be able to fill half an album of pages about me and yet this year I've filled one and am on my way to filling two.

But, times are different. All my kids are grown up. Sure, John and Jarrod still live at home but they have their own things, now. For the most part it is Jeff and I doing life together, not empty-nesters but that isn't far off. Will I continue this with another year of All About Me in 2019? I'm not sure. It's been creative fun for sure.